Mine Train- Is This Scenario Too Crazy?

[wisblue]

I was thinking about what the opening of the mine train is going to do to crowds and FP availability at MK, and had these thoughts:

1. Because everyone seems to agree that it is taking a lot longer than it should to get this ride open, I really think that it is being delayed intentionally so that it can open at a time that Disney chooses (as opposed to getting it open as soon as possible).

2. I think one reason may be that they don't want to open the attraction until they complete the process of getting rid of paper FP and have some experience with FP+ only. They might also want to test a few other things, like prebooking for offsite guests.

3. When the mine train opens, it will obviously become the most in demand attraction in any of the parks, exceeding even TSMM. Presumably, there will be a few previews and some unannounced soft openings before they announce that the ride is open

4. Here is the part that I was wondering about. Is it possible that the mine train could be used as the first test of a same day, point of attraction FP system that will be similar to paper FP. The difference would be that, instead of getting a paper FP, the guest would scan his or her band or ticket and receive a return time for the attraction. Instead of being spit out by machines, the paperless tickets would be doled out by CMs with ipads, like FP+ reservations are being distributed for offsite guests now.

Eventually, I would expect the mine train to be made available for advance reservations, but it wouldn't have to be done as soon as it opens.

So, the way this would work, as the hordes head to the mine train at park opening, they could either get in the standby line or get in line for a reservation to ride later. Just like the old days with paper FP. When the FP+ are gone for the day, they are gone, just like with paper FP. In the early days, this would happen very quickly but, at least for awhile, nobody would have advance reservations and there would be a significant same day supply. But, it would be limited to one per guest per day.

5. The extension of this would be to have a similar way to distribute whatever FPs are left over at other attractions and at other parks. They would be subject to limitations similar to paper FP, such as no more than 1 every 2 hours. At less busy times, and at MK where there a lot of attractions to choose from, this would be a way to distribute FPs that are not claimed through advance reservations.

Does this seem at all feasible or plausible?

 

[mesaboy2]

I don't believe it is being delayed intentionally. And I will be an outlier also and disagree that "it's taking a lot longer than it should". I think it is different enough from any other attraction to explain the long development time, not to mention the late change in plans from the original FLE concept.

That's how crazy I am.

 

[larryz]

I was thinking about what the opening of the mine train is going to do to crowds and FP availability at MK, and had these thoughts:

1. Because everyone seems to agree that it is taking a lot longer than it should to get this ride open, I really think that it is being delayed intentionally so that it can open at a time that Disney chooses (as opposed to getting it open as soon as possible).

2. I think one reason may be that they don't want to open the attraction until they complete the process of getting rid of paper FP and have some experience with FP+ only. They might also want to test a few other things, like prebooking for offsite guests.

3. When the mine train opens, it will obviously become the most in demand attraction in any of the parks, exceeding even TSMM. Presumably, there will be a few previews and some unannounced soft openings before they announce that the ride is open

4. Here is the part that I was wondering about. Is it possible that the mine train could be used as the first test of a same day, point of attraction FP system that will be similar to paper FP. The difference would be that, instead of getting a paper FP, the guest would scan his or her band or ticket and receive a return time for the attraction. Instead of being spit out by machines, the paperless tickets would be doled out by CMs with ipads, like FP+ reservations are being distributed for offsite guests now.

Eventually, I would expect the mine train to be made available for advance reservations, but it wouldn't have to be done as soon as it opens.

So, the way this would work, as the hordes head to the mine train at park opening, they could either get in the standby line or get in line for a reservation to ride later. Just like the old days with paper FP. When the FP+ are gone for the day, they are gone, just like with paper FP. In the early days, this would happen very quickly but, at least for awhile, nobody would have advance reservations and there would be a significant same day supply. But, it would be limited to one per guest per day.

5. The extension of this would be to have a similar way to distribute whatever FPs are left over at other attractions and at other parks. They would be subject to limitations similar to paper FP, such as no more than 1 every 2 hours. At less busy times, and at MK where there a lot of attractions to choose from, this would be a way to distribute FPs that are not claimed through advance reservations.

Does this seem at all feasible or plausible?

Possible. But Jamie and Adam might say "Busted." And here's why...

Reserving FP+ will be a strong draw to stay in the resorts on property when word gets out that offsite guests have to wait until the day-of to set any up. This ride will be the TSMM of the MK, and will likely fill whole hotels with people reserving rides via FP+.

I just don't see any incentive to test a "FP+ Pick-up Station" at the ride itself.